Bee Health in Western Canada

Canola and bees today: co-existing very well

In the past decade, the number of honeybees in Canada has increased to near-record levelsIn 2015, there were more than 722,000 honeybee colonies Canada-wide – up from 600,000 in 2000.[1] More than 70 per cent of these colonies are in Western Canada, where canola production has also grown dramatically.

The health of hives in Western Canada remains high as these two industries grow in close proximityThe overwhelming majority of beekeepers have reported no concerns with canola production practices, and canola growers know it is in their best interest to protect this mutually beneficial relationship.

Bees are not affected by treated canola seedThere has been no evidence that planting canola seed treated with an insecticide places pollinators at risk. Seed treatments used for canola remain on the seed and are not released as dust into the air, and field studies show no chronic or acute poisonings from seed treatments when analyzed at field scale rates.[2]

Funding for this site has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Flexibility Fund, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan

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By clicking any of the links on this website, you are consenting to view materials that may be commercial in nature. All content on this site is property of the Canola Council of Canada. All rights reserved.